Endorsements: Guillen, Lemons in Paramount

The discovery of toxic, cancer-causing emissions from metal processing plants in Paramount has triggered outrage and anger among residents in the working-class community.

As public health officials try to deal with long-simmering health risks caused by pollution, Paramount residents are wondering who is at fault and why wasn’t something done much sooner to prevent this crisis.

The controversy has dominated the campaigns of four candidates seeking the two seats open on the five-member Paramount City Council in the March 7 election.

For one of the seats, the editorial board is endorsing newcomer Laurie Guillen, a Los Angeles Police Department officer, who has taken an aggressive stance in criticizing the council for not listening to residents who complained about odors coming from metal processing plants years ago.

A lifelong resident of Paramount, Guillen is especially critical of incumbent council members who said they heard about the latest toxic emissions at the same time residents did.

California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, who lives in Paramount, said it “was obvious” the city failed to ensure proper licensing of metal processing operations.

But he also said it was hard to pinpoint one level of government or agency as solely responsible for the breakdown in protecting residents. The Air Quality Management District and other agencies could have done better jobs, he said.

Councilwoman Peggy Lemons, a longtime member of the council being criticized by Guillen, concedes that the council perhaps relied too much on AQMD for regulatory enforcement of the metal processing plants.

Since the latest emission findings, Lemons has taken more of a leadership role in trying to fix problems.

For that reason, we endorse her for the second spot open on the council.

Another candidate, longtime incumbent Gene Daniels, has served the community well during his tenure, but it’s time for some changes in the city’s leadership.

The fourth opponent, Jose de Leon, an automotive technician, is inexperienced but shows promise.

Our hope is that Guillen and Lemons will be able to work together for the betterment of the residents of Paramount.